Device for metal straightening and cutting-off machines



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I'. B. SHUSTER. DEVICE FOR METAL STRAIGHTENING AND CUTTING-OPP MACHINES.No. 605,928. Patented June 21,1898.

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Y P. B. SHUSTER. DEVICE FOR METAL STRAIGHTENING AND CUTTING-OPFMACHINES. No. 605,928. Patented Julie 21,1898.

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' FRANKLIN B. SHUS'IER, OF NEV HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

DEVICE FOR METAL STRAIGHTENING AND CUTTING-OFF MACHINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 605,928, dated J une21, 1898.

Applicant nei my 21, 1897.

To @ZZ wiz/0771, it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANKLIN B. SHUSTER, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of New Haven,- in the county of New Haven and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in anElectric Operating Device for Metal Straightening and Cutting-OffMachines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to metal straightening and cutting-olf machineswhereby the metal is straightened and cut off to a predetermined length;and it consists, essentially, in automatically governing the actions ofthe feeding and cutting-off mechanism by electricity, so that when themetal has been fed a certain distance or predetermined length theelectric circuit will be closed by the forward end of the metal andinstantly bring the feed-rolls to a standstill and .the cutting-offmechanism into operation.

In this present application the electric appliance is connected with asheet-metal straightening and cutting-off machine for which anapplication forLetters Patent was liled by me June l5, 1896, Serial No.595,518. i

My invention further consists in certain Y improvements on the saidmachine, to be more fully set forth in the following specification.

To enable others to understand my invention, reference is had to theaccompanying drawings, in whichy Figure l represents a side elevation ofthe sheet-metal straightening and cutting-off machine with the electricdevice for operating the feeding and cutting-off mechanism attachedthereto, showing also broken view of one of the table-rods. Fig. 2 is anend elevation of the machine, broken view of the tablerods,trip-plate-supporting bar, and overhead tubular supporting-shaft for thetable mechanisin through a a, Fig. l. Fig. 3 is an enlarged longitudinalsectional view of the machine frame or head'through line Z) of Fig. l,showing more clearly the operation of the electric mechanism foroperating the cuttingoff and feeding mechanism. Fig. Liis a detailenlarged View, partly in section, of the mechanism for operating thefeed-rolls. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail plan view of the mechanism foroperating the feeding and cuttingoif mechanism, broken sectional view ofthe Serial No. 637,503. (No model.)

1nachine-l1ead,and broken View of the operating-shafts and the cutterbalance-wheel or driving-pulley. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detail brokenView of the trip-supporting rod, electrically-connected rod below thesame, andv broken view of the electric wires connecting the two rods.Fig. 7 is an enlarged broken detail rear end View of the machine-headand .rearvend elevation of the electric shipping mechanism, the cutterbalance-wheel or driving pulley, and standard supporting thedriving-shaft of the cutting-off mechanism. Fig. 8 is an enlarged detailend elevation of one of the table-rod supports, table-supporting arms,trip-plate, supporting-hanger for same, sectional view of the rodsupporting such hanger, sectional view of the two-part table, tablesupporting rods, and overhead tubular shaft. Fig. 9 is an enlargedbroken detail View of the two-part table, showing rods laidlongitudinally along the upper surface to decrease the frictionincidental to the passage of the metal sheets along such table.

\Vhile,as before m entioned,the electricallyoperating feature forcontrolling the movements of the feeding and cutting-off mechanism isconnected with a machine adapted for operating upon sheet metal, it willbeunderstood that it is equally well adapted for other kinds of metalwherein it is necessary to cut the same into predetermined lengths.Therefore the gist of my present invention resides in the electricalcontrolling feature for operating upon all such classes of machines.rlhere are also certain improvements relating to my former applicationwhich are shown in the drawings and will be described and claimed inthis present application. The other features of construction that werefully shown and described in my former application will be againreverted to in this present case merely to show the application of theelectrical device to this particular machine. Its construction andoperation are as follows:

l represents the machine-head; 2, the five feeding and straighteningrolls, journaled in the boxes 3, located in each side of themachine-head; 4, tightening-screws therefor; 5, a tubularsupporting-shaft, supporting the table-operating mechanism, one end ofwhich is rigidly mounted in the top of the cuttingoff-press frame G,integral with the machine- ICO outside of the machine, havingbinding-posts 81, to which the battery-wire 82 and the pushbutton wire83 are attached.

The latch-trip lever 85 (see Figs. 1, 5, and 7) is pivotally supportedin the bracket 86 and has the spring-actuated pawl .87 at its lower endto engage with projection 88 of the electric latch. This electric latchbeing a familiar and well-known device for locking and unlocking a boltengaged with a pivotally-supported catch controlled by a magnetadetailed description of such latch is not necessary, especially as itforms no part of my presentinvention. The upper end of the saidtrip-lever projects above the horizontal lever` 54 and between whichthere is a firm engagement when the said trip-lever is engaged with theelectric gate-latch.

The operation of the electrical device in connection with feeding andcutting-off mechanism is as follows: Vhen the mechanism is in theposition shown at Fig. 8, the feeding and straightening rolls are inoperation to feed the metal-along the two-part or folding table untilthe end thereof engages with the trip-plate 38, causing the same toswing and bring the contact-points 48 and 49 in contact to close thecircuit, whereupon the trip-lever will be instantly released-from theelectric latch, and the power of the retractile spring 89, attachedtothe end of lever 54, will draw the end of such lever around againstthe stoppin 90. This action will throwthe trip-lever 85 into the angulardotted position shown at Fig. 7 and will also throw the opposite end oflever 54 outward, so as to withdraw the rod 66`sufliciently to disengagethe key 68 from its engagement with the toothed face of the hub of gear65. The Withdrawal of this key will instantly bring the rolls to astandstill. The tilting movement of lever54, before mentioned, will alsothrow the lever 51 in the opposite direction, causing the forward end ofsuch lever to strike the vertical arm 91, Fig. 5, of the bell-cranklever 92, pivotally supported to bracket 93, as shown at Fig. 7. Thehorizontal arm 94 of this bell-crank lever will (by the action justdescribed) strike against the arm 95 (see also Fig. l) of the key-lever96, pivoted to the stud 96a.v The lower end of this lever being engagedwith the spring-actuated key 97, Fig. Z, will be raised sufficiently torelease such key and permit it to move forward to engage with thedriving-pulley 31, thereby imparting motion to the shaft 18, causing theknife 29 to move up and sever the stock. The instant this isy done thecam 17011 shaft 18 will actuate the segment-gears 19 and 20 and open thetable (see dot ted lines of such open table atFig. 8) and deliver thesevered sections below the machine.

As it will require one revolution of the shaft 18 to eect the cutting ofthe stockand return the knife to its normal lower position in readinessfor another'upward stroke, the cam 50 is so placed that when the lsaidknife is descending the said cam will engage with 'roll 53 of the lever51 and force the end of such lever away from the vertical arm 91 of thebell-crank lever 92. This operation will release the key-lever 96, andits retractile spring 97 will bring the said lever into engagement withthe driving-pulley key of the cutting-off mechanism and instantly bringsuch mechanism to a standstill.

The tilting movement of the lever 51 (just described) will also tilt thelever 54 and through the medium of rod 66 force the key 68 intoengagement with the hub of the gear 65 of the roll mechanism and set thefeedingrolls again in operation. Then the outer end of the lever 54 ismoved in the direction of arrow o', Fig. 8, the retractile spring 98(see also Fig. 7) will cause the trip-lever 85 to rengage with theelectric latch 88 and its opposite end brought against the said lever54. In this manner the operation of feeding and cutting off is madecontinuous and automatic, it being understood that the drivingpulleys 31and 60will always be in motion, while the gear 65 and the shaft I8 willrun or remain at a standstill as required. .v

In my former application the feeding and straightening rolls and thecutting-off mechanism were automatically shifted from one to the otherentirely through the medium of cams and levers, and it was impossible tostop the rotation of the feed-rolls quick enough to cut off sections toan exact length, as when the lever was released to engage with the keyand withdraw it from the drivingwheel of the feed-roll mechanism thedrivingwheel would continue through an unfinished vpart of itsrevolution until the key was engaged by the said lever and drawn back.Thus the feedingof the metal would continue, and in case of very thinstock would buckle and form. longer sections than required, and wouldalso make such sections more or less uneven in length.

In the present arrangement the face of the hub of gear 65 is providedwith any number of clutch-recesses, so that the instant the circuit isclosed the key is withdrawn and the rolls stop instantly.

The object of the spring 76, Fig. 4, in the head 74 is to furnish arelief for the pressure on the levers 51 and 54 when the rod 66 is movedin toengage the key on its end With the clutch-face of the gear 65.Should the end of this key strike on the top of one of the teeth on theface of this hub and no relief be furnished, something must needs break.Therefore the spring 76 will give just enough to save the time requiredfor the said key to fall into a groove. As before stated, this featureof controlling the movements of the feed-roll and cutting-off mechanismis applicable to any and all classes of machines where the metal is tobe cut up into predetermined lengths, whether wire or sheet metal, and Ihold myself at liberty to apply it to any and all such machines. v

The push-button 84 is arranged so that the.

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feed-rolls can be stopped by hand Whenever it is observed that there isa bad spot in the metal being fed along, whereupon the cutter will bebrought into operation to sever the defective strip, when thc machinecan continue as before. lt Will be understood that p11sl1-buttons can beplaced at any convenient part of the machine when required.

It will be readily understood that while l show certain fecdin g andstraightening mechanism and mechanism for cutting off sections of thestock l do not Wish to be confined to the exact details of constructionshown and described. Neither do l Wish to be strictly confined to theexact details of construction shown for operating the feeding,straightening, and cutting-olf mechanism through the medium ofelectricity, as these constructions could be varied to suit thedifferent machines 'to which they may be applied. lf desired, thestraighteningrolls may be dispensed With and rolls used simply forfeeding.

Having thus described myinvention, what l claim as new, and desire tosecure by YLetters Patent, is

l. ln a machine for feeding and cutting olf metal strips or rods, intopredetermined lengths, of independentlybperating feeding andcutting-ell' mechanism adapted to operate alternately, a system ofelectric Wires connected with a battery or other source of electricalenergy, a circuit-closer adapted to be engaged by the end of the metalstrip or rod and thereby close the circuit and bring the feedingmechanism to a standstill, While the cutting-off 'mechanism is operatingto sever a section from such strip or rod for the purpose set forth.

2. ln a machine for feeding and cutting olf metal into predeterminedlengths, of independently-operating feeding and cutting-off mechanismadapted to operate alternately, a circuit-closer adapted to close anelectric cirn cuit when the metal has been fed a predetermined distanceand instantly bring the feeding` mechanism to a standstill, mechanismfor bringing the cutter into operation to sever a section from suchmetal, and mechanism for restarting the feed-rolls, for the purpose setforth. A

3. In an automatic machine for alternately feeding and cutting ol'tsections from a metal strip or rod, of feeding-rolls and cutting-offmechanism, a circuit-closer adapted to close an electric circuit whenthe metal has been :fed a predetermined distance and instantly bring thefeedrolls to a standstill, mechanism for bringing the cutter intooperation to sever a section from such metal, a deliverytable over whichsuch metal is fed, said table adapted to deliver such severed section,means for restarting the feed-rolls, for the purpose set forth.

Ll. ln an automatic machine for alternately feeding and cutting offsections from a metal strip or rod, of feeding-rolls and their operatingmechanism, a cutter and its operating ceases mechanism, a delivery-tableand its operateing mechanism, a system of electric Wires com nected witha source ol' electrical energy,` a circuit-closer adapted to'close theelectric cir cuit when the metal has been fed a predetermined distanceand instantly bring the l`eed rolls to a standstill, means for .instantly bri nging the cutter into operation to sever a section therefrom,means for restarting the feeding-roll mechanism so as to feed forwardanother section, for the purpose set forth.

5. ln an automatic machine foralternate'ly feeding and cutting offsections from the cud of a metal strip or rod, of feeding-rolls andtheir operating mechanism, a cutter and `its operating mechanism, adelivery-table and its operating mechanism, a system of electric Wiresconnected with a battery or other source of electrical energy, acircuit-closer adapted to be engaged by the end of the metal strip orrod and close the electrical circuit and bring the feed-rolls to astandstill, means for bringing the cutter into operation to sever asection from such strip or rod, means for resetting and restarting saidfeed-rolls se as to feed Aforward another section, for the purpose setforth.

t5. In an automatic machine'for alternately feeding and cutting oil.sections from the end of a metal strip or rod, of feeding-rolls andtheir voperating mechanism, a cutter and its operating mechanism, adelivery-table and its operating mechanism, a system of Wires cennectedwith a source of electrical energy, fnlcrumed levers pivotally andadjustably conr nected together, the end of one of said levers adaptedto engage with a cam on the cutter driving shaft, the other leveradapted to engage with means connected with an electric latch or otherlike device, means, substan tially as shown, for connecting one of saiillevers with the feed-roll-driving mechanism, a circuitcloser adapted 'toclose the circuit when the metal has been fed a predeternlined distanceand thereby release the levers held by the said .latch and bring thefcedrolls `to a standstill, and means for releasing the cutting-offmechanism to sever a section from the metal strip, and means forstopping said cutting-off mechanism and restarting the feed-rolls, forthe purpose set forth.

7. ln an automatic machine for alternately feeding a metal strip or rodand cutting ell sections therefrom, of feeding-rolls and their operatingmechanism, a cutter and its operative mechanism, a delivery-table andits operative mechanism, shipping mechanism for alternately bringing thefeecling1'olls and cutting-off mechanism into operation, combined with asystem of wires connected with a battery or other source of electricalenergy, a circuit-closer adapted to close the circuit when the metalstrip or rod has been 'fed a predetermined distance and stop thefeedrolls through the medium of the said shipping mechanism and bringthe cutter inte operation, said shipping mechanism adapted te re IOSdriving-Gear a inion-Oear to register Wit-h b D 9 CJ D one of thefeed-roll gears, a shipping-rod passing through said shaft and connectedwith the shipping mechanism-one end of said rod adapted to engage thesaid clutch-face of the loose driving-gear, a spring-buffer on such rod,for the purpose set forth.

9. The combination, in a two-part table, of a feeding and cutting-offmachine for sheetmetal, of longitudinal narrow strips or rods attachedto the upper surface of such table to reduce the friction of the metalsheets, and a trip-plate Whose lower edge is shaped to coliform to suchstrips, so that very thin metal sheets may be fed Without gettingbetween tlie lower edge of such trip-plate and said strips,substantially as set forth.

Signed at Bridgeport, in the county of Fairiield and State ofConnecticut, this 20th day of May, A. D. 1897.

' FRANKLIN B. SHUSTER.

Witnesses:

FREDERICK A. BoorH, l J oHN-B. CLAPP.

